Window-cleaning apparatus



March 31, 1931.

L. c. NEILSON 1,79 8,215.

WINDOW CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Attornqy Mamb 1931; L. c. NEILSON WINDOW CLEANING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1929 March 31, 1931. c, N sorq 1,798,215 I WINDOW CLEANING APPAKATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l /7 Lars CCiYz'Zson 7 7;, /5

March 31, 1931. L. c. NEILSO N WINDOW CLEANING APPARATUS 4 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5, 1929 Inventor Lars C. jiza'lson Attorney Patented Mar. 31, 1931 ATENT OFFICE LABS G. NEILSON, OF BRADLEY, ILLINOIS WINDOW-CLEANING APPARATUS Application filed February 5, 1929.

The present invention relates to improvements in window cleaning apparatus and has for its principal object to provide a device that is adapted to be supported on a window sill whereby the apparatus may be used for cleaning the outer or inner surfaces of the window panes without necessitating the user of the device having to get out of the window.

At the present time, when it becomes nec- 1o essary to clean the windows in large office buildings and the like, the window cleaner must assume a position outside of the window to clean the same and usually employs a harness that includes a strap and hook for engagement with suitable securing means pro jecting from the building wall adjacent the window. There is always a possibility that the window cleaner will fall and to avoid hazardous risks, I have devised a window 9 cleaning apparatus that will bepositive and efficient in its operation, the same being further of such construction as to facilitate the installation of the apparatus in a window without necessitating any alterations of the 5 window frame.

A further object is to provide a window cleaning apparatus of the above mentioned character that includes a motor driven mechanism for raising and lowering the carriage 5 on which is arranged the window pane engaging elements.

Still a further object is to provide a window cleaning apparatus of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and fur- Serial No. 337,644.

of the apparatus per se, parts being shown in section,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus, parts being broken away,

Figure t is a fragmentary front elevation of the windowcleaning apparatus,

Figure 5 is a detail of the vertically arranged threaded shaft showing the driving means therefor and also disclosing in section the adjacent portion of the carriage,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the securing means associated with the apparatus,

Figure 7 is a top plan view thereof,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the plate that is clamped between the lower sash and the sill of the window,

Figure 9 is a detail fragmentary perspective" view of the key employed for adjusting the window frame engaging arms,

Figure lOis a sectional view taken approxi- 7o mately on the line 1010 of Figure 2,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail showing the felt disks arranged on the sectional rectangular shaped shaft,

Figure 12is a group perspective view of the adjacent ends of one pair of sections of said shaft, v

, Figure 13 is a sectional view through the adjacent ends of the sectional threaded shaft,

Figure 14 is a detail perspective view of the U-shaped housing provided for the threaded shaft, and

Figure 15 is a similar view of the connectingplate between the adjacent end of the section of the 'U-shaped housings that are 5 arranged in superposed relation with respect to each other for disposition around the sectional threaded shaft. v

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generally my improved window cleaning apparatus, the same comprising an attaching or supporting bracket denoted generally by the numeral 2.

This bracket includes a bed plate 3 to which is secured onthe upper face thereof adjacent its outer end the intermediate portion of the cross bar 4. A pair of longitudinally movable arms 5 and 6 are mounted on lot the outer end portions of the cross bar 4 the outer end of each arm being formed with an upwardly disposed foot 7 that engages with the respective side of the window frame Each of the longitudinally movable arms is formed with a longitudinally eXtending slot 8, the inner end portion of which is formed at one side with the teeth 9 as clearly indicated in Figure 7.

Bolts 10 extend through the slot 8 of each arm, the lower end of each bolt being threaded in a suitable opening provided therefor in the cross bar 4: and these bolts maintain the arms in their properly adjusted position.

A key structure such as is shown at 11 in Figure 9 is employed for moving the arms either inwardly or outwardly so as to accommodate window frames of different widtl s and this feature includes a shank 12 that is formed at its lower end with longitudinally extending teeth 13 around said shank so as to form a pinion and a reduced extension 1-1 is formed on the lower end of the shank to fit in the opening 15 formed in the cross bar 4 adjacent each side edge of the plate 3.

A handle 16 extends through the upper end of the shank 1'2 and by manipulating the projecting ends of the handle when the reduced projection 14 is fitted in one of the openings 15, the toothed portion 13 will cooperate with the teeth 9 to move the arm 5 either inwardly or outwardly, it being understood of course that the bolts are loosened when the arm is to be adjusted and when the proper adjustment has been made, the bolts are tightened.

An angular bracket 17 is carried by the outer end portion of the bed plate 3. The inner end portion of the plate 3 is adapted to be clamped between the lower edge of the lower sash of the window and the bottom of the frame at the intermediate portion of the window as indicated very clearly in Figure 1.

A block 18 is arranged on the bed plate bracket 17 and a pair of spaced arms 19 and 20 extend upwardly from the inner end pore tion of the block as clearly shown in Figure 3. The upper end of the arm 20 is formed with a rearwardly extending portion 21. p

A Vertically disposed sectional threaded shaft 22 is ournaled at its lower end in rotation within a suitable opening formed in the forward end portion'of the block 18 and in Figure 13' there is disclosed the particular construction of the adjacent end of the sections of the threaded shaft 22.

A substantially U-shaped sectional housing 2A is provided for said Vertically disposed sh'aft, the lower end of the lowermost section being fixedly secured to theforward end of the block 18 as shown at 25 in Figure 5.

The adjacent ends of the section of the U- shaped housing are secured together by means of the curved connecting plate shown at 26 in Figures 3 and 15.

The sectional U-shaped housing extends around the frontportion of the threaded vertical shaft and laterally disposed flanges 27 extend outwardly from the free edges of the sections of the housing as shown in Figure 14:- e

The lower end of the rotatable shaft 22 has loosely arranged on the same the opposed beveled pinions 28 and 29 with which meshes the beveled gear 30 secured on the outer end of the shaft 31 that is journaled through the standards 19 and 20 and this shaft 31 carries on its intermediate portion for disposition between the standards 19 and 20, the sprocket wheels 32 overwhich is trained the sprocket chain 33, said sprocket chain being trained also over a sprocket wheel 31 that is secured onthe outer end of the drive shaft 35 of an electric motor 36 that is mounted on the bed bracket plate 17 as clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 4. 7

Each beveled pinion is formed at its inner end with a clutch face with which cooperates the clutch 37 that is splined on the lower end of the shaft 22 for movement between the beveled pinion. v

A pivoted lever 38 is provided for actuating the clutch 37 and this further extends through an opening formed in the front side of the lower end portion of the sectional U- shaped housing. In this manner, the shaft 22 may be caused to rotate in either direction.

The window cleaning apparatus also in cludeswhat 1 term as a vertically movable carriage denoted generally by the numeral 39 and this carriage includes a vertically disposed relatively wide plate 10 that extends horizontally across therot-atable shaft 22. V

Carried by the outer face of the plate 10 is the block 41 which is formed with a threaded vertical bore for cooperation with the threads of the rotatable shaft 22.

The inner end portion .of this block is formed as its opposite sides with the channels 43 for receiving the outwardly disposed lateral flanges 27 of the oU-shaped housing in the manner as clearly disclosed in Figure 2. The ends of the plate 10 are disposed laterally in an inward direction as at 14: and arranged on the outer face of each of the laterally disposed portions 44: are the pairs of vertical spaced apertured lugs or cars 45 the purpose of which will be presently described. Three pairs of such lugs or ears are associated with each laterally disposed end portion 44.

A rod 4:6 extends through the upper pair of apertured lugs and the inner end of each arm 46 is formed with an enlarged head 17 to accommodatethe end portions of the'sectional shaft 48 that is substantially rectangular in cross section and in Figure 12 there is shown the particular manner in which the adjacent ends of this shaft are secured toget-her.

A series of circular felt disks 49 are arranged in abutting relation on the sectional shaft 48 to constitute a drying roller.

A coil spring encircles each arm 46 and is disposed between the spaced apertured ears 45, a collar 51 being adjustably secured on each arm to regulate the tension of the coil spring 50.

Similar arms 52 extend through each lower pair of apertured ears on the laterally disposed portions 44 and an enlarged head 53 is formed on the inner end of each lower arm to support the end portion of the lower section shaft 54 on which shaft is arranged the felt disks 55 are also arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other and this member forms the wet roller and the shoulders are spaced with respect to each other.

The means for rotating these rollers will be hereinafter described in detail. Intermediate arms 56 are disposed for slidable movement through the intermediate pair of apertures formed on the lateral portions 44 and carried by the inner ends of these arms is the wiper unit 57 that is interposed between the upper and lower rollers as clearly indicated in Figure 3.

The wiping element may consist of a strip of rubber or the like and is adaptedto have wiping engagement with the surface of the window pane B.

A pair of spaced hangers 58 extend laterally from the inner face of the plate 40 at the intermediate portion thereof. A longitudinally extending shaft 59 is journaled for ro tation at its inner end through the free end of one of the hangers 58, the outer end of this shaft extending through the adjacent lateral plate like extension 44.

A beveled gear 60 is secured on the inner end of the shaft 59. A similar shaft 61 is disposed through the free end of the other hanger 58 and through the adjacent lateral portion 44 and is disposed in alinement with the shaft 59.

A bevel gear 62 is arranged on the inner end of the shaft 61 and these bevel gears 60 and 62 have meshing engagement with the bevel gear 63 carried by the Vertical sectional shaft 65 that extends downwardly through the extension 21 and carried on the lower end of this shaft 65 in the bevel gear 66 that has meshing engagement with the bevel gear 67 arranged on the driven shaft 31.

Suitable sprocket wheels 68 and 69 are secured on the outer ends of the shafts 48 and 61 respectively and a sprocket chain 70 is trained over the sprocket wheels. A similar sprocket chain 71 is trained over the alined sprocket wheels secured on the outer ends ure 1, it is apparent that the carriage 39 will The rollers will have contact with the window pane as M move vertically on the shaft.

will also the wiper 57 and in this manner, the window pane may be thoroughly cleaned.

The apparatus can be mounted on thein side of the window for cleaning the inner faces of the window pane as well as the outer faces thereof.

It will thus be seen from the foregoingdescription that I have provided a window cleaning apparatus that can be readily and easily positioned in place for cleaning windows and means is provided whereby Windows of different widths may be accommodated and also the device is capable of being extended vertically where the windows are relatively great in height.

WVhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it'is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described myjnvent-ion, what I claim as new is:

.1. In a window cleaning apparatus, a support adapted to be mounted upon a window sill, a rotatable threaded vertical shaft mounted on the support, a housing for said vertical shaft, a carriage arranged for vertical movement on the shaft, said carriage including a block formed with a threaded bore for cooperation with the threaded shaft, cooperating guide means between the vertically movable carriage and the housing to prevent rotation of the carriage with respect to said vertical shaft, upper and lower spaced window pane engaging rollers mounted on said carriage, a window pane wipingelement carried by said carriage and interposed between said'spaced rollers, means for simultaneously rotating the shaft and saidrollers, said last mentioned means including a clutch mechanism for changing the direction of rotation of said shaft, said means also in cluding means for rotating said rollers in opposite directions with respect to one another, adjustable means for positively se curing the apparatus on a window frame.

2. In a window cleaning apparatus, an adjustable support adapted to be mounted upon a window sill, a rotatable vertical shaft arranged on said support, a housing for said vertical shaft, said shaft being threaded, a carriage arranged for vertical movement on said shaft, said carriage including a vertical inc plate having a block secured to one face thereof, said block having a threaded bore coop erating with the threads on said shaft, vertical guide flanges formed on said housing, said block being provided with panels for receiving said guide flanges for retaining the carriage against rotative movement, a pair of spaced horizontally disposed rods disposed at right angles to said plate, means carried by said plate for slidably support ing said rods, a wiping roller supported by said rods, and extending between said rods, spring means engaging said rods for urging said roller into wiping contact with the window pane, a second pair of rods disposed below the first mentioned pair of rods, means carried by said plate for slidably supporting said second pair ofrods, a roller supported between said second pair of rods, spring means engaging said second pair of rods for urging the last mentioned roller into contactwith the window pane, said last mentioned roller constituting a wettingroller, meansfor simultaneously rotating the shaft and said roller. i

3. in a window cleaning apparatus, an adjustable support adapted to be mounted upon a window sill, a rotatablevertlcal shaft arranged on said support, a housing for sa1d vertical shaft, said shaft being threaded, a carriage arranged for vertical movement on said shaft, said carriage including a vertical plate having a block secured to one face thereof, said block having a threaded bore cooperating with the threads on. said shaft, vertical guide flanges formed on said housing, said block being provided with panels for receiving said guide flanges for retaining the carriage against rotative movement, a pair of spaced horizontally disposed rods disposed at right angles to said plate, means carried by said plate for slidably supporting said rods, a wiping roller supported by said rods, and extending between said rods, spring means engaging said rods for urging said roller into wiping contact with the window pane, a second pair of'rods disposed below the first. mentioned pair of rods, means carried bysaid plate for slidably supporting said second pair of rods, a roller supported etween said second pair of'rods, spring means engaging said second pair of rods for rging the last mentioned roller into contact with the window pane, said last mentioned roller constitutin a wettin roller meansfor simultaneously rotatingrthe shaft and sa1d roller, and aspi'ing pressed window.

pane wiping element carried by said carriage and extending between said rollers in spaced parallelism to said rollers.

fi. A window cleaning apparatus including in combination a support, a vertically movable carriage mounted on said support,

window cleaning apparatus mounted on said carriage; means for clamping said support to said window frame, said means including across bar, adjustable arms mounted on the cross bar, the outer ends of said arms adapted to engage with the respective sides of the window frame, and means for adjusting said arms independently of each other.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature,

LARS C. NEILSON. 

